Tag Archives: childhood

Tracy Helps You’s Thankful Thoughts for Today ~ 11/27/14

November 27, 2014 ~ HAPPY THANKSGIVING !! Today I am thankful for childhood memories of Thanksgiving. For those of you who may not already know, I was raised by my grandparents. Sadly, my grandpa passed away when I was in 7th grade and my grandma passed when I a senior in high school. I am truly thankful to have wonderful memories of both of them 🙂

I’m a morning person, so I’m an early riser by nature. I have wonderful memories of waking up on Thanksgiving morning to the wonderful smells of onion and celery sauteing in butter on the stove … the starting point of my grandma’s wonderful stuffing recipe. Continue reading →

My Memories of the Christmas Holiday Season

I have always loved the Christmas Holidays!

I lived with my Grandmother and the whole family gathered at her house for every holiday. I have wonderful memories of the house being filled with the aroma of baking cookies. I remember my uncle used to paint pretty, snowy winter scenes on the big windows in the living room. My Grandma loved to crochet, and there were often gifts of scarves and afghans … I still have a poncho she made for me (it was the sixties). I remember someone usually had to run to the corner drugstore to get more batteries or film and flashcubes (anyone remember those?).

We had an artificial Christmas tree and I have couple memories of a few choice words being uttered when the assembly didn’t always go as planned 🙂 I remember there were a few fragile ornaments from great grandparents that I wasn’t allowed to touch until I was ten. I have many of the ornaments that hung on that tree … hanging them on my tree each year always brings back cherished memories of my childhood.

I remember always having so many new toys to play with. We always had a big turkey dinner on Christmas Day and the house smelled so delicious and wonderful, all warm and cozy.

Our celebrations continued all through the week between Christmas and New Years. Both my Grandma and I have a birthday during this time. I remember toasting with 7UP after counting down to New Years. I remember loving to watch the parade while Grandma was getting the New Years dinner ready. She always gave me the extra maraschino cherries she didn’t need for the ham 🙂

I cherish these nostalgic memories of childhood ♥

Tracy Helps You’s Thankful Thoughts for Today ~ 11-7-13

November 7 ~ Today I am thankful for good books. Reading for pleasure has been one of my favorite pastimes since childhood. One of my favorite memories of reading is from when I was in the 4^th grade and my family had just moved. I had just transferred into a new school in April and hadn’t made any friends yet. I was a lonely little girl and will forever remember and be grateful for my new teacher; Ms. Clemens. Her routine was to read aloud to the class for the last 15 minutes of class. I remember she was reading “The Boxcar Children”. This was the first time I remember being introduced to chapter books. She would have us lay our heads down on our desks and just listen to the story. Ever since then, reading has been one of my favorite hobbies. One of my current favorite genres is Historical Fiction. I also enjoy contemporary stories … here’s my thoughts about BOTH SIDES ( in case you didn’t see my earlier post)

My personal definition of a good book is when the author tells the story in such a way that you can create the scenes in your mind. You are so drawn into the story that you almost feel you are a part of it. He introduces you to his characters and you feel like you know them as friends. I call it a great book when I wish the story didn’t end and I find myself missing the characters 🙂

♥ Today I will focus on spending some free time reading a good book ♥

Tracy Helps You’s Thankful Thoughts for Today ~ 11-2-13

November 2 ~ Today I am thankful for old family memories. Yesterday, I was blessed to be able to spend the day with my aunt and one of my cousins wandering around several different Chicago neighborhoods. My aunt lives in California and comes back for occasional visits. Over the years, it has become our tradition to drive by some of the old houses / apartments that she lived in growing up. We would park out front of the building and she would tell us old family stories. Some of the stories I’ve heard before but are fun to hear over and over … but it seems that I learn something new with each of her visits.

Yesterday, we decided to park and walk around for close up looks. We’re lucky no one called the cops on us, cause we probably looked like stalkers and we may or may not have trespassed 🙂 At one house, the current resident saw us pointing at her house and taking pictures. She asked if she could help us (probably a polite way of saying what are you weirdoes doing??). We explained that we grew up there and she was so kind as to actually invite us in and show us around. I didn’t even recognize it, they had completely gutted and remodeled the place. It was gorgeous and so much nicer than when we lived there. Back in the day, we also owned the empty lot right next door and used it as an extension of our backyard. Now there is a house built on that lot. We also got to take pictures of my cousin re-enacting her job when we planted the tree out in front of the house as kids.

Like many families, we have some pretty wacky stories, but I think that’s what makes oral history so fun 🙂 I think it’s a good way to relive childhood memories and keep them alive. I find it particularly interesting to hear my aunt’s and cousin’s recollection of the same memory. How circumstances are perceived at different stages of life … my aunt being older and my cousin being younger than me.

I came home exhausted, but full of new memories of old memories … thanks to the adventures of the three T’s 🙂

♥ Today I will focus on being thankful for having old family memories ♥